Who says you need to leave Sandton to escape it? The Maslow Hotel Sandton proves that the ultimate getaway can be just a few blocks from home.
- The Maslow Hotel Sandton serves up a reminder that Sandton’s buzz can pause long enough for good food, fresh air, and a glass of bubbly.
- Between the Friday feast and Sunday picnic, The Maslow turns a regular weekend into something surprisingly memorable.
- It’s proof that you don’t need to travel far to feel like you’ve been somewhere worth going.
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Sometimes the best getaways don’t require a passport, a packed suitcase, or even a long drive. Sometimes, a change of scene is all it takes – especially when that scene includes manicured gardens, gourmet dining, and a glass of bubbly under the Sandton sun. Enter The Maslow Hotel Sandton – an established, contemporary escape right in the heart of Sandton’s financial district that promises a rejuvenating staycation experience without ever leaving the city.

The Setting: An Urban Oasis
Located at the corner of Grayston Drive and Rivonia Road, The Maslow Hotel Sandton sits in the pulse of South Africa’s business capital, surrounded by investment banks, financial institutions, and the JSE. Yet, step inside, and you’re immediately transported from corporate to calm. The hotel’s lush gardens, tranquil water features, and stylish interiors make it feel worlds away from the bustle beyond its gates.

Designed with Sandton’s urban professional in mind, The Maslow Hotel Sandton blends contemporary design with comfort, offering a seamless balance between work and relaxation. The hotel boasts 281 guest rooms, including luxury suites with private balconies and family apartments for longer stays. Each space is modern and minimalist, with understated luxury touches – crisp linens, sleek bathrooms, and generously sized windows that flood the rooms with natural light.

The Culinary Experience: Friday Fivefold Indulgence
To properly test The Maslow’s staycation credentials, The Sandton Times checked in over a weekend – just in time for the Friday Fivefold Indulgence Menu, a culinary journey designed to help overworked professionals unwind and indulge. Hosted at Lacuna Bistro and Bar, the experience is a five-course date-night affair priced at R1’350 per couple – and it’s one for those who believe Fridays should be reserved for great food and better wine.

Executive Sous Chef Thokozane Shongwe and his team have crafted a menu that’s both elegant and unpretentious, celebrating flavour and finesse in equal measure. It kicks off with a delicate prawn arancini amuse bouche paired with a marinara aioli – the perfect little bite to start the night. Starters are a tough choice between a creamy mussel hot pot with salsa verde and toasted ciabatta or a beef tartare finished with truffle aioli and a crisp crouton. The palate cleanser – lemon sorbet with grilled pineapple and rum salsa – is pure refreshment before the indulgence deepens.

Mains range from surf and turf (a perfect pairing of beef fillet and tiger prawns) to salmon teriyaki or chicken supreme on tomato-cumin orzo. For vegetarians, the cauliflower steak with white bean purée is a surprisingly rich and satisfying choice. Dessert rounds out the evening with South African flair – malva pudding with rooibos custard, a baked milk tart, or a local cheese selection.

The service is unhurried. But perhaps that’s the point. With the stress of the week behind you and no reason to rush, it’s easy to lean into the leisurely pace, sip your wine, and enjoy every bite. While the Friday Fivefold Indulgence could benefit from a slightly more intimate setting, the food itself more than compensates. Each plate is beautifully composed – a thoughtful start to a relaxing weekend.
The Spa: Africology Heaven
No staycation would be complete without a little pampering, and The Maslow’s Africology Spa delivers in abundance. Tucked away within the hotel, this serene sanctuary is one of Sandton’s best-kept secrets. It’s the first Africology Spa within the Sun International group – and it shows. Warm, earthy tones, soothing scents, and a calming atmosphere greet you the moment you step inside.

Africology’s treatments are designed to address the demands of modern life – particularly for weary business travellers. From massages that balance the endocrine system to melatonin-boosting facials, every treatment feels purpose-built for rejuvenation. The spa features treatment rooms, a nail bar, a hydro space, sauna, steam room, and even a rooftop garden for post-treatment relaxation. It’s indulgent without being ostentatious – the kind of place where time genuinely seems to pause.
Whether it’s a quick shoulder release after a week of deadlines or a full-body wrap before dinner, this spa alone could justify checking in for a night or two.

The Sunday Society Picnic: Sandton’s Most Stylish Afternoon
By Sunday, The Maslow transforms again – this time into the city’s most fashionable outdoor venue for the Sunday Society Picnic, a series of chic garden gatherings running through summer. Priced at R1’600 per couple (or R3’418 including accommodation), it’s an elegant affair set against the backdrop of The Maslow’s perfectly manicured lawns. Guests are greeted with a glass of Graham Beck bubbly, live music, and a gourmet picnic basket packed with locally inspired treats.

Each event comes with a theme and dress code, turning the gardens into a runway of style. From “Summer Vintage” and “Boho Luxe” to “Sparkle and Shine”, there’s something charmingly playful about seeing Sandton’s finest trade boardrooms for blankets on the lawn.

The September menu featured vetkoek with spicy mince ragout, bacon-wrapped chicken lollipops, lamb cutlets with chimichurri, and panko prawns with Malay tartar sauce headline the hot dishes. The harvest table overflows with fresh salads, local cheeses, biltong, and preserves, while desserts like milk tart, cheesecake, and fruit kebabs bring a sweet finish.

The October menu keeps things fresh, with dishes like beef kebabs, pork loin piccata, and ginger cheesecake making an appearance. It’s clear this isn’t your average picnic – it’s boujee on a blanket.

The Verdict: City Escape, Elevated
A weekend at The Maslow Hotel Sandton is proof that a getaway doesn’t always require distance – just intention. It’s the a solid antidote to the corporate grind: a little indulgence, a touch of greenery, and a reminder that even in the city that never stops, it’s okay to. Between the Fivefold Indulgence dinner, the Africology Spa, and the Sunday Society Picnic, The Maslow manages to turn an ordinary weekend into some time off.
So next time you need to hit reset, skip the airport queue and head down the road. Because sometimes the best getaways don’t take you far away at all.
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